Chapter 27

Heonui, blinking in the semi-darkness through tears, looked around.

The door of her bedroom was open, and a hastily left candle stood on the floor in the corridor. Its glare gleamed faintly on the walls, and the flames twitched nervously from the light breeze walking along the corridors of the estate, penetrating through the window frames from the frosty street. It was obviously late, and Heonui thought that it was way long after midnight. Wang Han was on his knees, hugging her tightly. His gaze betrayed either annoyance or fear.

"I failed you again," Heonui said weakly, shaking her head.

"How are you feeling, Heonui? Did you have a nightmare?" he only asked.

Looking at him, Heonui drew back slightly, afraid that she was wearing that shameful tunic, but realizing that she had fallen asleep in her former widow's attire, she took a breath and tried to get up. Wang Han helped her and got up himself.

"Forgive me," replied Heonui with bitterness in her voice. "I am not myself today. I ruined your evening and made you worry again. I—"

"That is all right," he replied, taking the Princess's hand. "Forgive me, too. I realized that my joy was unpleasant to you. Sorry. I was so happy about Chenghuan's arrival and the fact that she breathed life into this house that I was not attentive enough to your grief."

"Oh, no, no, Your Royal Highness, of course not," Heonui hastened to assure. "I have no right to make the whole world suffer! I am very glad that the visit of the Queen makes you so... alive and happy... True, I am very glad, I am just... I cannot overcome... "

"Voices again?" taking a deep breath, Wang Han asked.

Afraid of saddening him again, Heonui muttered, trying to show as much confidence as possible in her voice:

"Bad dreams. Only they come and ruin my peace. No more."

"Only bad dreams?" Wang Han asked with a grain of doubt.

"Only bad dreams," Heonui swallowed. "Like now."

"What did you see in your dream?"

"Um… I saw my husband, and I feel sad and scared. But please, let us forget about it! I want you to smile again. Thank you for your help. It is the best help for me will be to see your face shining with happiness in a new way."

Wang Han went to the exit and picked up the candle again.

"It is almost morning," he said. "Go back to bed, dear. And take off these clothes. You must be suffocating in these numerous skirts and laces and things. Tomorrow morning, I am going with Chenghuan to the capital. Shall you come with us?"

"No, absolutely go and enjoy the sightseeing with Princess. I am not going to interfere."

"You do not interfere."

"Go with her, please. I insist."

"You're not leaving in secret, are you?"

"What?"

"To Li-en's land, to dear Mother."

"I promised that I would stay with you. I just do not see the point. I must confess that I am puzzled of why you are holding me here by your side when I must leave and not bother."

"I am glad to see you," he answered, closing the door behind him. "I will see you tomorrow, already at dinner, for we will leave at dawn. Rest then, please. Sweet night, and God bless."

Heonui, finally left alone, returned to bed and lay there, not closing her eyes, until dawn.